PEBBLE BEACH: BMW Debuts The Z4 M40i First Edition - Is It What You Hoped For?

PEBBLE BEACH: BMW Debuts The Z4 M40i First Edition - Is It What You Hoped For?
Today, BMW unveiled the all-new 2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition, the latest chapter in the history of BMW Z Roadsters which began thirty years ago with the production of the BMW Z1. With athletic proportions and a new emotional design language, the open-top two-seater takes the classic roadster concept into
the world of tomorrow.


The latest generation of the BMW Roadster celebrates its World Premiere at precisely the same location that served as the stage for the World Premiere of the BMW Concept Z4 last year: The Reviewing Stand of the world renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where on Sunday one outstanding automobile will be presented with the prestigious Best in Show trophy. During the presentation last year, BMW Group Design Chief Adrian van Hooydonk stated “The BMW Concept Z4 Roadster is a promise of a production version planned for the future”. That future has now arrived.



With its pure and progressive design, the BMW Concept Z4 Roadster presented a vision of a charismatic sports car which now becomes a production car reality. Just a glance at the all-new BMW Z4’s proportions leaves no doubt about its sporting potential. The central sitting position  for the driver, the low center of gravity, perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution; the new BMW Z4 fulfils these expectations in every aspect.


Vertically stacked headlights, the BMW kidney grille sporting a mesh design, the long clamshell hood stretching over the front wheels, large air breathes on the front wheel arches and the distinctive spoiler integrated into the rear lid all contribute towards the characteristic look of the new BMW Z4. The design of the interior places the focus on the pure sports driving enjoyment of the new BMW Z4. The driver-oriented cockpit styling is underscored by dynamic forwardoriented lines. Likewise, the clearly structured arrangement of all control elements enhances the focus on the driving experience inside the new BMW Z4.



For a perfect start into a new roadster era, the new BMW Z4 M40i First Edition offers specific design and equipment features that add exclusive accents to the car’s sporty flair. The expressive body paintwork in Frozen Orange Metallic is combined with an electrically operated textile soft top in anthracite with silver effect, the BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line, black exterior mirror caps and 19-inch light alloy wheels boasting a two-tone, double spoke design. The interior of the First Edition model features Vernasca black leather trim with decorative stitching, electrically adjustable seats with memory function and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. Adaptive LED headlights, BMW Head-Up Display featured for the first time in a BMW roadster and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with two high resolution digital displays, offering the latest networking technology underpin the advanced status of the
tradition-steeped two-seater, open-top sports car interpretation that is being presented by BMW in the all-new Z4 Roadster.


Power for the new BMW Z4 M40i First Edition is provided by an uprated 3.0 liter inline 6- cylinder engine producing 382 hp (US model rating) and 369 lb-ft of torque which will be enough to propel the BMW Z4 M40i from 0-60mph in under 4.4 seconds (estimated). A BMW M tuned sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Sport braking system and an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential will ensure that this latest M Performance Model can carve through the twists of the Laureles Grade as effortlessly as cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur.


Full Z4 model details and specifications to be announced on September 18, 2018. The all-new 2019 BMW Z4 30i will arrive in U.S. BMW Centers in Spring 2019 with the BMW Z4 M40i (including the First Edition) arriving in the Second Quarter.


 



DeutschlandDeutschland - 8/23/2018 3:40:56 PM
+3 Boost
It really blows...Jesus BMW..come on


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 8/23/2018 4:02:41 PM
+2 Boost
I like it. Still waiting for that glamour shot of the trunk capacity though.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 8/24/2018 12:08:09 AM
+4 Boost
You mean the hinges Carlos the hinges! :)


ggrcrashggrcrash - 8/23/2018 4:18:46 PM
+3 Boost
Not feeling the dark wheels, throws something off, can't quite put my finger on what it is, but it does. Maybe I'm just old school... Same thing with the M2, can't stand the whole dark wheels thing...In fact most cars with dark wheels, I tend to shy away from. Hope that they have different options.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 8/23/2018 4:23:35 PM
+2 Boost
I like the dark wheels and black windshield surround, but I'm guessing the lesser engine versions will not be blacked out.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 8/23/2018 6:03:53 PM
+1 Boost
the one in this video looks pretty fantastic, much better than the red.

https://youtu.be/WXYqKKhHTNE


TomMTomM - 8/23/2018 7:02:16 PM
+2 Boost
I think you would be better served waiting for a new TVR
It may never come - but at least it has potential.
A go cart with a Mustang V-8 in it - might be exciting


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/23/2018 7:52:13 PM
+1 Boost
Might be?


dlindlin - 8/23/2018 7:04:43 PM
+2 Boost
Another good looking concept turned out a mundane production

Also BMW thinks it can be a Porsche simply by blackening trims out... No, You Won't


dlindlin - 8/23/2018 7:33:31 PM
0 Boost
And the interior is full of cheap plastic worse than that of Accord...

You can't be serious!


dlindlin - 8/23/2018 11:46:11 PM
+3 Boost
Front end is unnecessarily complicated like it's got 1000 hp.
BMW designer can really learn the beauty of simplicity from the new Vantage!

https://global.astonmartin.com/en-us/models/new-vantage


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/23/2018 7:51:19 PM
-1 Boost
The hood and face is too big. The side is too short. The tail is too stubby.


bmw7erbmw7er - 8/23/2018 8:10:28 PM
+2 Boost
It looks like an updated Mercedes SLC


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/23/2018 8:22:38 PM
+2 Boost
This model does not justify its own existence. In 2017 Z4 sales were 502 units. Its best year for sales was 20,000 units in 2003. Since 2012, US unit sales have been under 2,800 units a year. It should not exist.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 8/24/2018 7:42:33 AM
+1 Boost
Not to ruin your shade fest with rational thought, but there was no 2017 Z4. The previous generation car ended production as a 2016, so 2017 sales would have been virtually nil by default, since sales of any car, from any brand, are going to be low a year after it’s no long being built.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 8/23/2018 8:39:56 PM
+1 Boost
This model does not justify its own existence. In 2017 Z4 sales were 502 units. Its best year for sales was 20,000 units in 2003. Since 2012, US unit sales have been under 2,800 units a year. It should not exist.

— CANADIANCOMMENTS
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If I'm on the BMW board, or using this as a case study in business school, I agree with you. As a consumer, I love having as many options as possible.


ricks0mericks0me - 8/23/2018 10:03:21 PM
0 Boost
The Moderators need to flag this post... I actually agree with CanadianComments & Carlos


bmw7erbmw7er - 8/24/2018 12:15:28 AM
+3 Boost
Raise your hand if you are sick of the leaning forward line running back to front on cars (i.e. pretty much all Cadillacs, old Nissan Altimas, old Mercedes).


NewQNewQ - 8/24/2018 1:23:35 AM
+2 Boost
Some do it better than others, and it depends on the model.

On this one, I think it suits the character of the car.

On something like the Cadillac CT6, it doesn't. A car like that should look stately and elegant, and the plunging character line takes some of that away.

It's one reason I prefer elements of the old 7 over the new one. The old 7 had a straight and level profile, and was more upright and imposing. The new one is more aggressive and toeing the line between traditional large luxury sedan and exotic. Not as much as Maserati for example, but next to the new A8, the 7 looks Italian. This isn't necessarily bad, it's just something I find less in keeping with the car's purpose.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 8/24/2018 12:20:52 AM
+3 Boost
Well I do like the new engine for non stand alone M cars. I do agree with Matt's high level critique of the design. The front end is too busy, to many large creases and openings. Each shape in the front has strange angles... I think the origami guys snuck in the back door of the BMW design studio. There is also too much front overhang. Short overhang on the front has always been a BMW staple to emphasize the rearward mounting of the motor behind the front axle (front/mid engine). The rear on the other hand is too rounded. A sports car like this deserves a good sharp rear much like the e36 coupe or 850 not like the second gen Lexus SC. The change in angle of the lower sill line is also distracting and makes it look belly heavy, kind of like the first 1 series. The good, a new grill that looks pretty sharp. The Corvette inspired front quarter side vents are not bad. Unfortunately I think it is altogether a bit of a mess... but the engine... I like.. good engine 382hp (A+). Overall exterior design C-.


mini22mini22 - 8/26/2018 2:08:02 AM
+1 Boost
Headlights too big. Hood too flat and too long. Upper side slash too prominent. Vent made larger from concept car. Best part of the car is looking at it dead on in the rear. In profile if you take away the slashes and vent the shape reminds me of a Mercedes SL or SLK.What is that cladding on the corners of the front grill. Parking lights look tacked on. As if BMW was channeling Chris Bangle a little bit. Production spoiler looks tacked on at the rear.


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